California State-of-Mind
As much as we wanted to fly through Nevada and leave it behind, we stopped in Winnemuca (am I even spelling it right?) for lunch. I mean, really, this is a nothing town. Or so I thought.
As we ordered, my husband, sensing she wasn't from these parts, asked the waitress what brought her to Winnemuca. Her simple reply, "My husband's job." Now I know times are tough and jobs scarce, so I pitied her for being the dutiful wife and following her hubby to parts unknown for employment ~ especially after she told me they moved from the fairly civilized city of Portland.
As I was feeling sorry for her in an imperious way ~ after all I didn't have to follow my husband out of the wonderfully delightful Bay Area for his job ~ she then said, "My husband worked for his company for 10 years and when an opening became available, we jumped at the chance to move. We love it here. No traffic. Clean air. Warm sunshine. A simple life."
My pity-you-girl party came to a screeching halt. She actually liked it in Winnemuca. What I, in my "superior" California-state-of-mind couldn't see, was a quality of life that greatly appealed to this woman and her husband. They didn't need what I thought was the fulfilling life. They brushed aside what the world told them they should want and listened to their hearts. Whoa. I was humbled and a bit embarrassed, thankful that she couldn't read my mind or that I hadn't made some sideways comment about her chosen home.
Next time we drive through Winnemuca I will tip my hat to the waitress who taught me a lesson in humility and following my own compass.
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